Voice-over

Author: Wu Guanzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: British literary critic Michael Sullivan once remarked on Wu's writing, saying, "His published texts alone are enough to secure him a place in the art world. Especially his strong, concise, and sincere expression style can be compared to that of the Van Gogh he admired." Wu Guanzhong writes without, his prose is both refined and deeply emotional. His language is simple and fresh, natural and authentic, not swayed by the times or others' opinions, but reflecting his own observations, thoughts, and feelings. He once said, "I write in a very straightforward and honest manner. I believe that emotions should be expressed directly, without using unnecessary words. This is just as Lu Xun said: 'Better to cut out superfluous words, sentences, or paragraphs than to spare them.'"
British literary critic Michael Sullivan once remarked on Wu's writing, saying, "His published texts alone are enough to secure him a place in the art world. Especially his strong, concise, and sincere expression style can be compared to that of the Van Gogh he admired."
The book Voices Beyond the Canvas selects over 70 of Wu's prose and essays, described as "what the brush cannot express." It includes works that evoke fresh and beautiful memories of youth, such as Water Town Green Nurtures Childhood, which has a style reminiscent of My Old Home, as well as pieces that bring tears to the reader, like Him and Her, reflecting on decades of companionship with his beloved wife. There are also short essays of less than a thousand words, such as Brush and Ink Are Equal to Zero, which stirred the art world, brought him endless disputes, and is a masterpiece of every word. Additionally, there is Ten Thousand Gold in Lawsuits, a lengthy piece inspired by the controversy over the "shooting the headquarters" forgery case, where he laments, "A deer dies for its horns, a musk deer for its musk, must I die for my paintings?"
There is also Van Gogh, which left him speechless with emotion whenever he introduced it, as he often became too excited to find the right words to express his feelings. There is More Beauty Blindness Than Illiteracy, a piece reflecting on the state of the art world that deeply troubled him. There is Destruction of Paintings, which shows his refusal to submit to money or follow worldly trends, as he burned works he was dissatisfied with. And finally, there is The Returns, a heartfelt tribute to his mentor, Lin Fengmian.